Voters’ accreditation begins in Ondo

Voters’ accreditation has commenced across Ondo State for today’s gubernatorial election.

In various polling booths voters turned out early and were being attended to by electoral officers.

At the Ondo North Senatorial District, there was a significant turnout of voters.

It was observed that as early as 6.30am, voters were already at the various polling units waiting for materials to arrive.

In some units, voting materials arrived at exactly 7am.

Accreditation began in some units promptly by 8am. In others, it began at about 9am.

In Unit 8, Ward 6, Ayegunle, Oka-Akoko, Akungba, voters were being accredited as at 8am.

At the polling units were agents of the three major political parties – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

At Unit O4, in Ward II, the Presiding Officer was calling out names of registered voters as at 9am for accreditation.

Old women, elderly men and youths gathered at the unit on Victory College, by Jubilee Market, Ugbe-Abuja Road.

Accreditation was peaceful in the unit, but a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO), Oladele Adebisi, who was monitoring activities in Akoko North East, said some of the Presiding Officers did not turn up.

He said he was trying to send more officers to units with large number of voters.

“The people are complying, and we’re working hard to meet up with time and finish with accreditation on schedule.

“The only challenge we have is a shortage of hands in some units. So right now I am looking for more hands for units where there are more people.

“There is supposed to be an Assistant Poling Officer (APO), APO I and APO II in each unit. But the people we would have used are not available,” he said.

At Unit 05, Ward 1, CAC Primary School, the Ofua of Ikareland, High Chief Alfred Omotola, described the turnout of voters as impressive.

He said: “We are peace-loving people. We are orderly here. There is no problem at all. I have come here to do my accreditation and I have been accredited.

“No one will be forced to vote for a party when voting begins. Everyone will vote for a party of their choice,” he said.